Monrovia, Liberia – The Council of Patriots (CDC-CoP) has sharply criticized the leadership of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) and the Liberia National Student Union (LINSU) for their alleged silence on key issues impacting Liberia’s youth.
In a strongly worded press statement, the CDC-CoP accused both organizations of betraying their founding principles by failing to address human rights abuses and the increasing struggles of students and young people in Liberia.
The statement, issued on March 10, 2025, pointed to a troubling trend in which FLY and LINSU, instead of speaking out against the recent deaths of young Liberians allegedly at the hands of the police, have instead chosen to support the government in its efforts to gain international approval for its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
The CDC-CoP emphasized the tragic deaths of 17-year-old Favor and 13-year-old James Kandy, who were reportedly killed by Liberian police, as a glaring example of the lack of advocacy by these youth organizations. “FLY and LINSU are silent in the face of youth bloodshed, and yet they continue to act as mouthpieces for an oppressive and violent government,” the statement said. The CDC-CoP made it clear that this inaction was a betrayal of the youth and student populations that these organizations were supposed to represent.
Furthermore, the CDC-CoP raised concerns over the ongoing socio-economic challenges faced by young Liberians, including widespread unemployment and the growing number of students stranded abroad, particularly in Morocco, due to the inability to pay tuition fees. Despite these dire circumstances, the CDC-CoP claims FLY and LINSU have failed to take a stand on behalf of their fellow students and youth.
The CDC-CoP also denounced what it described as a “PR campaign” being run by FLY and LINSU, who have been seen posing for photographs with foreign officials while ignoring the domestic struggles of Liberia’s youth. The group also accused them of neglecting pressing national issues such as constitutional violations and the manipulation of the national budget.
“FLY and LINSU’s leadership is no longer serving the needs of Liberia’s youth and students,” the CDC-CoP said. “These organizations, once champions of justice and youth rights, have become instruments of propaganda for a government that continues to oppress and neglect the very people they are supposed to represent.”
In response, the CDC-CoP announced plans to establish an alternative leadership structure that will truly advocate for the needs and rights of Liberia’s youth. The group committed to presenting a new vision for student and youth advocacy in the coming weeks. “We will create an institution that is unafraid to challenge the status quo and will never be controlled or intimidated by political pressures,” said the CDC-CoP.
The Council of Patriots’ statement comes at a time when Liberia is experiencing growing dissatisfaction with the current government’s treatment of its youth. With the country’s youth unemployment rate soaring and many students unable to continue their education due to financial barriers, the CDC-CoP has vowed to champion the cause of young Liberians who feel ignored by the government and traditional youth organizations.
The group has also called on the international community to support their efforts, urging entities such as the United Nations, ECOWAS, and the African Union to hold the government accountable for the growing crisis faced by Liberia’s youth. The CDC-CoP’s press statement was sent to various international stakeholders, including the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia and the U.S. Department of State.
